Couple busted on drug, weapons charges

Staff reports

Published 12:38 pm, Friday, January 4, 2013

BRIDGEPORT -- A couple staying at a city motel were arrested Wednesday night on drug and weapons charges after they were pulled over for running a stop sign.

Walter Ribot, 31, and Clarisa Ribot, 41, were stopped on Main Street near Frank Street by officers on routine patrol after they were observed rolling through the stop sign, according to the incident report.

Walter, who was driving, tossed an object out the window when he noticed the cruiser following him on Grand Street, the report states. The couple had the sunroof of their car open, when the temperature was hovering at 30 degrees, police said.

The plate on the Acura was from a Dodge that had been reported stolen, and the Acura the Ribots were in was not registered, the report states. Walter was found with a digital scale and $134 in his pockets, and a 9mm. pistol and ammo boxes were found under the driver's seat, the report states.

A small white rock weighing 6.5 grams that tested positive for crack was found between the driver's seat and the console, police said.

The suspects gave police verbal permission to search their room at the Sunnyside Inn on Lake Street, where more ammunition was found, they said. Both had outstanding warrants.

While they were being booked, police were called by a Grand Street resident who reported finding a 9 mm pistol on his property. The caller lives near where Walter threw an object from the car, police said.

The Ribots were each charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying a weapon in a vehicle and reckless endangerment.

Walter Ribot was also charged with criminal possession of a firearm. Clarisa Ribot was found with numerous Social Security and credit card numbers. They were each held on a $50,000 bond.